Semiconductor integrated circuit measuring current to test damaged transistor

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor integrated circuit that measures a current which flows upon deactivation of the circuit in order to test for a damaged transistor therein. The circuit includes an input node for receiving an input voltage, a reference node for receiving a reference voltage, a first source potential node for receiving a first source potential level, a second source potential node for receiving a second source potential level, and a sense circuit connected between the first source potential node and the second source potential node and brought into an operating state during a period in which the first source potential level is supplied. The sense circuit compares the input voltage and the reference voltage and outputs the result of comparison to a sense output node. A buffer circuit is connected between the sense output node and a buffer output node and is adapted to output a voltage corresponding to the voltage appearing at the sense output node to the buffer output node. A first switching circuit is connected between the first source potential node and the sense circuit and is adapted to selectively connect between the sense circuit and the first source potential node in response to the voltage supplied to the reference node.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit including asense circuit capable of handling an input signal whose amplitude issmall.

2. Description of the Related Art

An input buffer circuit capable of handling a signal whose amplitude issmall, has been required as one technique (disclosed in, for example, atechnical publication I ("Nikkei Electronics", no. 556, pp. 133˜141,Jun., 8, 1992)) for realizing a semiconductor integrated circuitactivated at higher speed. An example in which a semiconductorintegrated circuit having an input buffer circuit incorporated thereinand called a "GTL" (Gunning Transceiver Logic) as one example, isconstructed, has been disclosed on page 136 of the technical publicationI in particular. FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing the "GTL" inputbuffer circuit. The input buffer circuit comprises a terminal (inputterminal) IN to which an input signal whose amplitude is small issupplied, a sense circuit (sense amplifier) 20 composed of P-channel MOS(Metal Oxide Semiconductor) field effect transistors (also hereinaftercalled "P-MOSs") 21, 22 and 23 and N-channel MOS field effecttransistors (also hereinafter called "N-MOSs") 24 and 25, a referencevoltage supply terminal REF and an output terminal OUT. In the inputbuffer circuit, a signal N21 of a low or high level is outputteddepending on whether a voltage inputted to the input terminal IN ishigher or lower than a voltage at the reference voltage supply terminalREF. The low or high level signal N21 is transmitted to an outputterminal OUT through both an inverter circuit INV composed of a P-MOS 26and N-MOSs 27 and 28, and inverters 29 and 30. Incidentally, the N-MOS27 in the inverter circuit INV is of a transistor for takingcountermeasures against hot carriers. Further, the reference voltage isdetermined as 0.8 V and the input voltage is determined so as to rangefrom about 0 V to 1.2 V in accordance with the GTL standards.

A test for measuring a current flowing from a power source to GND in astate in which a predetermined quiescent test signal has been applied toa terminal of a semiconductor integrated circuit, a so-called method ofmeasuring a current that flows upon deactivation of the semiconductorintegrated circuit, is carried out as an on-shipment test when thesemiconductor integrated circuit is shipped. This is carried out becausethe result of measurement can be used as one criteria for judgingwhether damaged or broken spots exist in transistors employed in thesemiconductor integrated circuit. Even in the case of a semiconductorintegrated circuit provided with the input buffer circuit shown in FIG.13 as an input portion, a current that flows upon deactivation of thesemiconductor integrated circuit, is measured for the purpose of testinga principal portion of the semiconductor integrated circuit uponshipment thereof. Since, however, the amplitude of an input signal issmaller than that of a power source voltage in the input buffer circuit,the P-MOSs 21, 22 and 23 and the N-MOSs 24 and 25 are kept ON at alltimes. Therefore, a current i21 (see FIG. 13) always flows in a sensecircuit 20 upon measuring the current that flows when the semiconductorintegrated circuit is deactivated. When the current that flows upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, is measured, thiscurrent i21 makes it difficult to make a decision as to whether damagedor broken spots exist in the transistors employed in the semiconductorintegrated circuit.

In order to avoid the above problem, it is considered that the consumedcurrent i21 is prevented from flowing on condition that the inputvoltage at the input terminal IN is V_(DD) and the P-MOS 21 is in an OFFstate. Since, however, the P-MOS 22 and the N-MOS 24 are respectivelybrought into an OFF state at this time, the signal N21 is brought into ahigh impedance state (floating state). Therefore, a current flows whichis consumed by the inverter circuit INV composed of the P-MOS 26 and theN-MOSs 27 and 28. Upon measurement of the on-deactivation current, thecurrent consumed by the inverter circuit INV makes it difficult to judgewhether the damaged or broken spots exist in the transistors employed inthe semiconductor integrated circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to make it easy to realize amethod of measuring a current which flows upon deactivation of asemiconductor integrated circuit in order to test whether a damaged orbroken transistor exists in the semiconductor integrated circuit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, for achieving theabove object, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuitcomprising an input node supplied with an input voltage, a referencenode supplied with a reference voltage, a first source potential nodesupplied with a first source potential level, a second source potentialnode supplied with a second source potential level, a sense circuitconnected between the first source potential node and the second sourcepotential node and brought into an operating state during a period inwhich the first source potential level is supplied, the sense circuitcomparing the input voltage and the reference voltage and outputting theresult of comparison to a first node, a buffer circuit connected betweenthe first node and an output node and adapted to output a voltagecorresponding to the voltage developed at the first node to the outputnode, and a first switching circuit connected between the first sourcepotential node and the sense circuit and adapted to selectively connectbetween the sense circuit and the first source potential node inresponse to the voltage supplied to the reference node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention, it is believed that the invention, the objects, features andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for describing the operation of the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for describing the operation of the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view depicting a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for describing the operation of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing modifications of the individual embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view depicting a modification of the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a modification of each embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 13 is a view for describing a technique related to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.Incidentally, the drawings used for purposes of illustrationrespectively show input buffer circuits each employed in a semiconductorintegrated circuit according to the present invention. Further, theelements of structure similar to those in the individual drawings usedfor illustration are identified by like reference numerals.

[First embodiment]

FIG. 1 shows an input buffer circuit employed in a semiconductorintegrated circuit according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

The semiconductor integrated circuit according to the first embodimentcomprises an input terminal IN, a sense circuit (sense amplifier) S, areference voltage supply terminal REF, an inverter circuit INV, a P-MOS1 which serves as a first switching element or device, an N-MOS 7 whichserves as a second switching device, inverters 11 and 12, inverters 13and 14, and an output terminal OUT.

Now, the sense circuit S is composed of a PMOS differential amplifiercircuit which comprises P-MOSs 2, 3 and 4 and N-MOSs 5 and 6 (therelationship of electrical connections among these components will bedescribed later). Further, the inverter circuit INV is composed of aP-MOS 8 and N-MOSs 9 and 10. The N-MOS 9 of the inverter circuit INV isof a transistor used for taking measures against hot carriers. The P-MOS1 serving as the first switching device is of a switching element ordevice which is turned ON when a reference voltage is applied to thereference voltage supply terminal REF and which is turned OFF when apower source voltage is supplied to the reference voltage supplyterminal REF. The N-MOS 7 serving as the second switching device is of aswitching device actuated complementary to the first switching device.The inverters 13 and 14 are respectively composed of transistors in thepresent embodiment. The inverters 13 and 14 constitutes a controller 15for generating a control signal for controlling the operation of each ofthe P-MOS 1 and the N-MOS 7 respectively serving as the first and secondswitching devices, based on the voltage supplied to the referencevoltage supply terminal REF. The controller 15 converts the referencevoltage into a voltage level capable of driving the P-MOS 1 and theN-MOS 7. Here, the reference voltage and the power source voltage arerespectively regarded as 0.8 V and 3.3 V. Further, an input voltageranges from 0 V to 1.2 V. Incidentally, ratios between gate widths of aP-MOS and an N-MOS of the inverter 13 and gate lengths thereof arerespectively set to small values as compared with other transistors. Asa result, the transistor of the inverter 13 is reduced in dimensions.This is indented to reduce current consumption of the semiconductorintegrated circuit at the time that it is normally activated.

A description will now be made of a detailed relationship of theelectrical connections among the components shown in FIG. 1. The inputterminal IN is electrically connected to both gates of the P-MOSs 2 and3. The P-MOS 1, which serves as the first switching device, is providedbetween a power source V_(DD) and the sense circuit S. Described morespecifically, the source of the P-MOS 1 is electrically connected to thepower source V_(DD) and the drain thereof is electrically connected tothe source of the P-MOS 2 which serves as a constant-current powersupply in the sense circuit S. Further, the gate of the P-MOS 1, whichcorresponds to a control terminal, is electrically connected to thereference voltage supply terminal REF through the inverters 14 and 13.Now, a signal which appears at an output terminal of the inverter 14,will be regarded as N2 below. In the sense circuit S, the drain of theP-MOS 2 is electrically connected to both sources of the P-MOSs 3 and 4.The drain of the P-MOS 3 is electrically connected to the drain of theN-MOS 5. Now, a signal, which appears at a point or node where bothdrains of the P-MOS 3 and the N-MOS 5 are coupled to each other, will beregarded as N1 below. The gate of the N-MOS 5 is electrically connectedto the gate and drain of the N-MOS 6 and the drain of the P-MOS 4. Bothsources of the N-MOSs 5 and 6 are electrically connected to a groundpotential. The gate of the P-MOS 4 is electrically connected to thereference voltage supply terminal REF. The N-MOS 7 is provided betweenthe output of the sense circuit S and the ground potential. Described indetail, the drain of the N-MOS 7 is electrically connected to the commonjunction point P between the drain of the P-MOS 3 and the drain of theN-MOS 5. Further, the source of the N-MOS 7 is electrically connected tothe ground potential. The gate of the N-MOS 7 is electrically connectedto the reference voltage supply terminal REF through the inverters 14and 13. A signal conductor or line on which the signal N1 appears, iselectrically connected to the gates of the P-MOS 8 and the N-MOS 10 inthe inverter circuit INV. The source of the P-MOS 8 in the invertercircuit INV is electrically coupled to the power source potentialV_(DD), whereas the drain thereof is electrically coupled to the drainof the N-MOS 9 and the input of the inverter 11. The gate of the N-MOS 9in the inverter circuit INV is electrically connected to the powersource potential V_(DD) whereas the source thereof is electricallyconnected to the drain of the N-MOS 10. Further, the source of the N-MOS10 is electrically coupled to the ground potential V_(SS). The output ofthe inverter 11 is electrically connected to the input of the inverter12, whereas the output of the inverter 12 is electrically connected tothe output terminal OUT.

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit according to thefirst embodiment and a method of measuring a current that flows upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a timing chart fordescribing the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 alsoshows the manner in which a current used up by the circuit varies withtime.

A description will first be made of a circuit operation at the time thatan input signal rises when the semiconductor integrated circuit isnormally activated. Incidentally, the voltage applied to the referencevoltage supply terminal REF is set to 0.8 V from the specifications ofGTL. Since the circuit operation at the time that the input signalrises, is described above, an initial input voltage becomes 0 V. In thepresent embodiment, a sense level of the inverter 13 is regarded asbeing set to a level higher than 0.8 V.

Since the semiconductor integrated circuit is in normal operation, thevoltage applied to the reference voltage supply terminal REF is 0.8 V.Therefore, the signal N2 is brought to a low level. When the signal N2is low in level, the P-MOS 1 is brought into an ON state and the N-MOS 7is brought into an OFF state. Further, since the voltage applied to theinput terminal IN is 0 V, the signal N1 becomes a voltage level near anH level (V_(DD) level) corresponding to a difference between the voltageapplied to the input terminal IN and the voltage applied to thereference voltage supply terminal REF. As a result, the voltage at theoutput terminal OUT is brought to an L level (during a time intervalindicated by t₁ in FIG. 2). At this time, the total current used up bythe input buffer circuit becomes the sum of a current i1 which flowsthrough the sense circuit S, a current which flows through the inverter13 and a current which flows through the inverter circuit INV(corresponding to a portion comprised of the P-MOS 8 and the N-MOSs 9and 10).

The reason why the current flows in the inverter 13 is as follows.Namely, since 0.8 V is applied to the input of the inverter 13, theN-MOS of the inverter 13 is in a weak ON state (corresponding to a stateof being not completely turned OFF) (the threshold value of the N-MOS isabout 0.7 V and is not so shifted from the voltage (0.8 V) supplied tothe gate of the inverter 13). Accordingly, a current flows through theinverter 13 from the power source potential V_(DD) to the groundpotential V_(SS). Since, however, the output of the inverter 13 becomessubstantially the power source potential (3.3 V), the N-MOS of theinverter 14 provided at a stage subsequent to the inverter 13 iscompletely turned ON. Thus, no current flows through the inverter 14from the power source potential V_(DD) to the ground potential V_(SS).

The reason why the current flows in the inverter circuit INV, is asfollows. Namely, there is a case in which each N-MOS in the invertercircuit INV is brought into a weak ON state (corresponding to a state inwhich it is not completely turned OFF). Accordingly, the current flowsthrough the inverter circuit INV from the power source potential V_(DD)to the ground potential V_(SS) .

If the voltage applied to the input terminal IN is changed to 1.2 V fromthe above state, then the signal N1 is rendered low in level and hencethe voltage at the output terminal OUT is brought to a high level(during a time interval indicated by t₂ in FIG. 2). After the voltagelevels at the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT have beendetermined, the total current to be used up or consumed by the inputbuffer circuit becomes the sum of the current i1 and the current thatflows in the inverter 13.

A description will now be made of a circuit operation at the time thatthe voltage at the input terminal IN falls. When the voltage at theinput terminal IN is changed to 0 V after the elapse of the timeinterval indicated by t₂ in FIG. 2, the signal N1 approaches a highlevel and hence the voltage at the output terminal OUT is rendered lowin level (during a time interval indicated by t₃ in FIG. 2). The totalcurrent to be consumed by the input buffer circuit becomes identical tothat used up during the time interval indicated by t₁ in FIG. 2.

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit at the time thatthe current that flows upon deactivation of the semiconductor integratedcircuit is measured, will now be described. In the present invention,the voltage at the reference voltage supply terminal REF will be set asthe power source potential when the current is measured upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit. Thus, since thesignal N2 becomes high in level, the P-MOS 1 and the N-MOS 7 arerespectively turned OFF and ON. Since the P-MOS 1 is in the OFF state,the current i1 does not flow in the sense circuit S. Further, since theN-MOS 7 is in the ON state, the level of an input applied to theinverter circuit INV is fixed to the ground potential. As a result, nocurrent flows through the inverter circuit INV from the power sourcepotential V_(DD) to the ground potential V_(SS). Namely, the currentconsumed by the inverter circuit INV is not produced (during a timeinterval indicated by t4 in FIG. 2).

During the interval indicated by t4 in FIG. 2, the current that flowsupon deactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit is measured inthe following manner.

A power source potential V_(DD) is first supplied to a power pin forsupplying the power source potential V_(DD) (about 3.3 V) to thesemiconductor integrated circuit from an external tester. Now, theexternal tester monitors a current that flows in the semiconductorintegrated circuit. The monitored current corresponds to the currentthat flows upon deactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit.

When the value of the current is larger than a predetermined value,there is a strong likelihood that a failure occurs in the inside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit. Thus, since the current that flowsupon normal operation, can be cut off, the failure in the inside of thesemiconductor integrated circuit can be easily detected.

In the aforementioned description of operation, the method of measuringthe current that flows when the semiconductor integrated circuit isdeactivated after the normal operation, is adopted as one example. Thisis however nothing but one example. It is needless to say that thecurrent may be measured before the normal operation (respectiveembodiments to be described later are also the same to above).

According to the first embodiment as described above, the P-MOS 1 andthe N-MOS 7 can be respectively brought into the OFF and ON states bysetting the voltage applied to the reference voltage supply terminal REFto the power source voltage. It is therefore possible to stop the flowof the current in the sense circuit S and to stop the flow of thecurrent consumed by the inverter circuit INV provided at the stagesubsequent to the sense circuit S. Thus, the current flowing upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit can be accuratelymeasured upon test prior to shipment of the semiconductor integratedcircuit. Therefore, when one finds a damaged portion on a transistor, adecision made as to whether the semiconductor integrated circuit isdefective, becomes easy.

[Second embodiment]

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the presentinvention. In the second embodiment, the inverter 13 described in thefirst embodiment is constructed as follows. Namely, (1) A P-MOS 51 usedas a third switching element or device and an N-MOS 54 used as a fourthswitching device are provided which are respectively disposed between apower source potential V_(DD) and a ground potential V_(SS) and turnedON and OFF complementary to one another. Both gates of the P-MOS 51 andthe N-MOS 54 are respectively electrically connected to a referencevoltage supply terminal REF. (2) A P-MOS 52 used as a fifth switchingelement or device and an N-MOS 53 used as a sixth switching device areprovided which are respectively disposed between the P-MOS 51 and N-MOS54 and turned ON and OFF complementary to one another. Both gates of theP-MOS 52 and the N-MOS 53 are respectively electrically connected to aninput terminal IN and the input of an inverter 14. A detailedrelationship of electrical connections among these MOSs 51 through 54 isas follows. The gates of the P-MOS 51 and the N-MOS 54 are respectivelyelectrically connected to the reference voltage supply terminal REF. Thegates of the P-MOS 52 and the N-MOS 53 are respectively electricallycoupled to the input terminal IN. The source of the P-MOS 51 iselectrically connected to the power source potential, whereas the drainthereof is electrically connected to the source of the P-MOS 52. Thedrain of the P-MOS 52 is electrically connected to the drain of theN-MOS 53. The source of the N-MOS 53 is electrically connected to thedrain of the N-MOS 54. Further, the source of the N-MOS 54 iselectrically connected to the ground potential.

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit according to thesecond embodiment and a method of measuring a current which flows upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a timing chart fordescribing the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 alsoshows the manner in which a current consumed by the circuit varies withtime.

Circuit operations at the time that an input signal rises and falls whenthe semiconductor integrated circuit is normally activated (during timest₁ to t₃), are basically identical to those in the first embodiment.However, the total current to be consumed after voltages at the inputterminal IN and an output terminal OUT have been determined, is slightlydifferent from that described in the first embodiment during the timest₁ and t₃. Namely, since the N-MOS 53 is brought into an OFF state whenthe level of an input applied to the input terminal IN is low, nocurrent flows in the P-MOSs 51, 52 and the N-MOSs 53 and 54. Thus, thetotal current used up by the semiconductor integrated circuit during thetimes t₁ and t₃ becomes equal to the sum of a current 1 that flows in asense circuit S and a current that flows through an inverter circuitINV. Namely, since the N-MOS 53 is turned OFF when the input signalapplied to the input terminal IN is of a low level (0 V) upon normaloperation in the second embodiment, an advantageous effect can bebrought about which is capable of eliminating a current consumed by acontroller 15a at the time that the input signal applied to the inputterminal IN is low in level. Incidentally, the P-MOS 52 contributes to areduction in current consumed by the controller 15a when the inputsignal is high in level.

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit at the time thatthe current that flows upon deactivation of the semiconductor integratedcircuit is measured, will now be described. When the voltages applied tothe input terminal IN and the reference voltage supply terminal REF arerespectively set as the power source potential V_(DD) (about 3.3 V), asignal N2 is rendered high in level, a P-MOS 1 is brought into an OFFstate and an N-MOS 7 is brought into an ON state. As a result, a signalN1 is rendered low in level. Therefore, no current flows in the sensecircuit S, the P-MOSs 51 and 52, the N-MOSs 53 and 54 and the invertercircuit INV.

According to the second embodiment as described above, the P-MOS 1 andthe N-MOS 7 can be respectively turned OFF and ON by setting thevoltages applied to the input terminal IN and the reference voltagesupply terminal REF to the power source voltage in the same manner asdescribed in the first embodiment. Therefore, the current i1 can beprevented from flowing in the sense circuit S. Further, since the inputsupplied to the inverter circuit INV can be fixed to the low level, nocurrent flows in the inverter circuit INV. Thus, the current flowingupon deactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit can beaccurately measured upon test at the shipment of the semiconductorintegrated circuit. Therefore, when one finds a damaged portion on atransistor, a decision made as to whether the semiconductor integratedcircuit is defective, becomes easy.

In particular, the second embodiment can bring about an advantageouseffect that since the N-MOS 53 is in the OFF state when the signalinputted to the input terminal IN is of the low level (0 V) upon normaloperation, the current consumed by the controller 15a at the time thatthe input signal is of the low level (0 V), can be eliminated.

[Third embodiment]

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a semiconductor integrated circuitaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The semiconductor integrated circuit according to the third embodimentincludes a sense circuit S, a first switching element or device 1 and acontroller 15 in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit further includes a first clockedinverter Cl1 electrically connected to the output of the sense circuitS, a second clocked inverter Cl2 electrically connected to the output ofthe first clocked inverter and a third clocked inverter Cl3 electricallyconnected to the output of the second clocked inverter Cl2 and an inputterminal IN. Whether each of the first through third clocked invertersCl1 through Cl3 is brought into an inverting state or a high impedancestate, is controlled based on a voltage applied to a reference voltagesupply terminal REF. When the first and second clocked inverters Cl1 andCl2 are respectively brought into the inverting state, for example, thethird clocked inverter Cl3 is brought into the high impedance state. Onthe other hand, when the first and second clocked inverters Cl1 and Cl2are respectively brought into the high impedance state, the thirdclocked inverter Cl3 becomes the inverting state. The first clockedinverter Cl1 comprises P-MOSs 61 and 62 and N-MOSs 63 and 64 all ofwhich are connected in series. The second clocked inverter Cl2 comprisesP-MOSs 71 and 72 and N-MOSs 73 and 74 all of which are connected inseries. The third clocked inverter Cl3 comprises P-MOSs 75 and 76 andN-MOSs 77 and 78 all of which are connected in series. A descriptionwill now be made of a detailed relationship of electrical connectionsmade within the semiconductor integrated circuit shown in FIG. 5.

The electrical connections among the input terminal IN, the sensecircuit S, the reference voltage supply terminal REF and the controller15 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The input terminal INis electrically connected to both gates of P-MOSs 2 and 3 in the sensecircuit S and both gates of the P-MOS 75 and the N-MOS 78 in the thirdclocked inverter Cl3. In the first clocked inverter Cl1, the source ofthe P-MOS 61 is electrically connected to a power source potentialV_(DD). The gate of the P-MOS 61 is supplied with a signal N2 and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to the source of the P-MOS 62.Further, the gate of the P-MOS 62 is supplied with a signal N1 and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to the drain of the P-MOS 63. Asignal, which appears at the drain of the P-MOS 63, is used as N3. Thegage of the N-MOS 63 is electrically connected to the output (signal N4)of an inverter 13 and the source thereof is electrically connected tothe drain of the N-MOS 64. The gate of the N-MOS 64 is supplied with thesignal N1 and the source thereof is electrically connected to a groundpotential. In the second clocked inverter Cl2, the source of the P-MOS71 is electrically connected to the power source potential V_(DD) andthe drain thereof is electrically connected to the source of the N-MOS72. The gate of the P-MOS 71 is supplied with the signal N2. The gate ofthe N-MOS 72 is supplied with the signal N3 and the drain thereof iselectrically connected to the drain of the N-MOS 73 and the input of aninverter 12. Further, the gate of the N-MOS 73 is supplied with thesignal N3 and the source thereof is electrically connected to the drainof the N-MOS 74. The gate of the N-MOS 74 is supplied with the signal N4and the source thereof is electrically connected to the groundpotential. In the third clocked inverter Cl3, the source of the P-MOS 75is electrically connected to the power source potential V_(DD) and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to the source of the P-MOS 76.The gate of the P-MOS 76 is supplied with the signal N4 and the drainthereof is electrically connected to the drain of the N-MOS 77 and theinput of the inverter 12. Further, the gate of the N-MOS 77 is suppliedwith the signal N2 and the source thereof is electrically connected tothe drain of the N-MOS 78. The source of the N-MOS 78 is electricallyconnected to the ground potential. The output of the inverter 12 iselectrically connected to an output terminal OUT.

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit according to thethird embodiment will now be described.

A description will first be made of circuit operations at the time thatan input signal rises and falls when the semiconductor integratedcircuit is normally operated. Since the voltage applied to the referencevoltage supply terminal REF is 0.8 V upon normal operation, the signalN2 (see FIG. 5) is rendered low in level. Further, the P-MOSs 1, 61 and71 supplied with the signal N2 and the N-MOSs 63 and 74 supplied withthe signal N4 are respectively turned ON and the P-MOS 76 and the N-MOS77 are turned OFF. The circuit operations and current to be used up bythe semiconductor integrated circuit are identical to those shown duringthe times t1 to t3 as already described in the first embodiment.

A description will next be made of a circuit operation at the time thata current which flows upon deactivation of the semiconductor integratedcircuit, is measured. When the level of the voltage applied to thereference voltage supply terminal REF is set to the power sourcepotential V_(DD) the signal N4 is rendered low in level and the signalN2 is brought to a high level. Further, the P-MOSs 1, 61 and 71 suppliedwith the signal N2 and the N-MOSs 63 and 74 supplied with the signal N4are respectively turned OFF and the P-MOS 76 and the N-MOS 77 are turnedOFF. As a result, a current i1, a current consumed by the inverter 13, acurrent consumed by the P-MOSs 61 and 62 and the N-MOSs 63 and 64 and acurrent consumed by the P-MOSs 71 and 72 and the N-MOSs 73 and 74 areall cut off. In this condition, the signal supplied to the inputterminal IN is sent to the output terminal OUT through the third clockedinverter Cl3 and the inverter 12.

The operation of the third clocked inverter Cl3 at the time that theinput signal applied to the input terminal IN rises and falls, is asfollows. This operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and6. Since the signal supplied to the input terminal IN is low in levelwhen the signal firstly rise, the P-MOS 75 is turned ON and the N-MOS 78is turned OFF. Thus, the voltage at the output terminal OUT is broughtto a low level (during a time t₁ in FIG. 6). When the signal applied tothe input terminal IN is changed to a high level from this condition,the P-MOS 75 is turned OFF and the N-MOS 78 is turned ON, so that thevoltage at the output terminal OUT is rendered high in level (during atime t₂ in FIG. 6). A description will next be made of the operation ofthe third clocked inverter Cl3 at the time that the signal inputted tothe input terminal IN falls. When the signal applied to the inputterminal IN is changed to the low level from the time t₂, the P-MOS 75and the N-MOS 78 are respectively turned ON and OFF, so that the voltageat the output terminal OUT is brought to a low level (during a time t₃).

According to the third embodiment as described above, since the P-MOSs1, 61 and 71 and the N-MOSs 63 and 74 are turned OFF by setting thevoltage at the reference voltage supply terminal REF to the power sourcevoltage upon measurement of the current that flows when thesemiconductor integrated circuit is deactivated, the current i1 flowingin the sense circuit S can be eliminated and the current consumed by thecircuit provided at the stage subsequent to the sense circuit S can bealso cut off. Further, since the amplitude of the voltage applied to theinput terminal IN is set so as to range from 0˜1.2 V to 018 the powersource voltage (3.3 V) in the third embodiment, the signal supplied tothe input terminal IN can be sent to the output terminal OUT in the formof a logical value identical to that set upon normal operation withoutbeing transmitted through the sense circuit S. Namely, the function ofthe signal supplied to the input terminal IN can be also testedsimultaneously.

[Fourth embodiment]

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an input buffer circuit employed ina semiconductor integrated circuit according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention. The fourth embodiment is characterized by acircuit to be next described provided as an alternative to the inverter13 employed in the configuration of the third embodiment. Namely, (1)The circuit has a P-MOS 81 used as a seventh switching element or deviceand an N-MOS 82 used as an eighth switching device both of which areconnected in series with each other and actuated complementary to eachother. Control terminals (gates) of the P-MOS 81 and the N-MOS 82 areelectrically connected to a reference voltage supply terminal REF.Further, the source of the P-MOS 81 is electrically connected to a powersource potential V_(DD). (2) The circuit includes an inverter 14 whoseinput is electrically connected to a point at which the seventh andeighth switching devices 81 and 82 are connected to each other, andN-MOSs 83 and 84 used as ninth and tenth switching devices both of whichare provided in parallel between the drain of the N-MOS 82 and a groundpotential V_(SS). A control electrode (gate) of the ninth switchingdevice 83 is electrically connected to an input terminal IN and acontrol electrode (gate) of the tenth switching device 84 iselectrically connected to the output of an inverter 14. A furtherdescription will be made of a detailed relationship of electricalconnections made within the above circuit.

The gate of the P-MOS 81 used as the seventh switching device and thegate of the N-MOS 82 used as the eight switching device are electricallyconnected to the reference voltage supply terminal REF. Further, thesource of the P-MOS 81 is electrically connected to the power sourcepotential V_(DD) and the drain thereof is electrically connected to thedrain of the N-MOS 82. A signal, which appears at the drain of the P-MOS81, is set as N4. The source of the N-MOS 82 is electrically connectedto the drains of the N-MOSs 83 and 84. Further, the gate of the N-MOS 83is electrically connected to the input terminal IN and the sourcethereof is electrically connected to the ground potential V_(SS).Furthermore, the gate of the N-MOS 84 is supplied with a signal N2outputted from the inverter 14 and the source thereof is electricallyconnected to the ground potential V_(SS).

The operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit according to thefourth embodiment will be described. A description will be first made ofa normal operation thereof. Since the voltage applied to the referencevoltage supply terminal REF is 0.8 V, the signal N4 is brought to a highlevel and the signal N2 is brought to a low level. Further, each ofP-MOSs 1, 61 and 71 and N-MOSs 63 and 74 is in an ON state and each of aP-MOS 76 and N-MOSs 77 and 84 is in an OFF state. Circuit operations atthe time that the signal inputted to the input terminal IN rises andfalls in this condition are similar to those made during the times t1 tot3 in FIG. 4 which has been described in the second embodiment. Thus,since the N-MOS 83 is kept OFF when the voltage applied to the inputterminal IN is 0 V, no current is consumed by the P-MOS 81 and theN-MOSs 82, 83 and 84.

A circuit operation at the time that a current which flows upondeactivation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, is measured, willnext be described with reference to FIG. 8. When the reference voltagesupply terminal REF is first set to the power source potential V_(DD)the P-MOS 81 is turned OFF and the N-MOS 82 is turned ON. When the N-MOS84 is now in an OFF state, the signal N4 is brought into a floatingstate. If, however, the input terminal IN is set to the power sourcevoltage, then the N-MOS 83 is turned ON so that the signal N4 isrendered low in level. In doing so, the signal N2 is brought to a highlevel and hence the N-MOS 84 is finally brought into an ON state (duringthe time t₁). The signal N4 is fixed to a low level from the result ofthe above operation. Thus, the present circuit can be activated fromthis condition as has been described with reference to FIG. 6.

According to the semiconductor integrated circuit of the fourthembodiment as described above, since the P-MOSs 1, 61 and 71 and theN-MOSs 63 and 74 are turned OFF by setting the voltage at the referencevoltage supply terminal REF and the voltage at the input terminal IN tothe power source voltage upon measurement of the current that flows whenthe semiconductor integrated circuit is deactivated, a current i1 can beprevented from flowing in a sense circuit S and a current consumed by acircuit provided at the stage subsequent to the sense circuit S can bealso cut off. Further, since the amplitude of the voltage applied to theinput terminal IN is set so as to range from 0˜1.2 V to 0˜ the powersource voltage, the signal supplied to the input terminal IN can be sentto the output terminal OUT in the form of a logical value identical tothat set upon normal operation. Accordingly, the function of the signalgiven to the input terminal IN can be also tested simultaneously.

When the voltage at the input terminal IN is 0 V upon normal operation,the effects of the N-MOSs 83 and 84 cut off the flow of the currentthrough the P-MOS 81 and the N-MOSs 82, 83 and 84.

[Fifth embodiment]

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram principally illustrating an input buffercircuit employed in a semiconductor integrated circuit according to afifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, asan alternative to the direct connection of grounding portions (sourcesin the present embodiment) of transistors (N-MOS 5 and N-MOS 6 in thepresent embodiment) serving as resistive elements in a sense circuit, toa ground potential, a switching element or device 91 (hereinafter called"ground-side switching device 91") is electrically connected between theportions to be grounded and the ground potential. A control terminal ofthe ground-side switching device 91 is electrically connected to areference voltage supply terminal REF through an inverter 13. There isalso provided a clocked inverter 92 electrically connected to both theoutput (signal N1) of the sense circuit S and an input terminal IN. Theclocked inverter 92 is controlled whether it is brought into aninverting state or a high impedance state according to a voltagesupplied to the reference voltage supply terminal REF . The clockedinverter 92 is brought into the high impedance state when a firstswitching element or device 1 and the ground-side switching device 91are turned ON. On the other hand, when the first switching device 1 andthe ground-side switching device 91 are turned OFF, the clocked inverter92 is brought into the inverting state. The clocked inverter 92comprises P-MOSs 93 and 94 and N-MOSs 95 and 96 all of which areelectrically connected in series with one another. The relationship ofelectrical connections in the circuit shown in FIG. 9 will be describedbelow in detail.

The input terminal IN is electrically connected to both gates of P-MOSs2 and 3 and both gates of the P-MOS 93 and the N-MOS 96 in the clockedinverter 92. In the clocked inverter 92, the source of the P-MOS 93 iselectrically connected to a power source potential V_(DD) the gatethereof is electrically connected to the input terminal IN and the drainthereof is electrically connected to the source of the P-MOS 94.Further, the gate of the P-MOS 94 is supplied with a signal N4 and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to the drain of the N-MOS 95. Acommon point or node at which the drain of the P-MOS 94 and the drain ofthe N-MOS 95 are coupled to each other, is electrically connected to theinput of an inverter circuit INV. Furthermore, the gate of the N-MOS 95is supplied with a signal N2 and the source thereof is electricallyconnected to the drain of the N-MOS 96. The source of the N-MOS 96 iselectrically connected to the ground potential. Still further, thesource of a P-MOS 8 in the inverter circuit INV is electricallyconnected to the power source potential V_(DD) and the drain thereof iselectrically connected to the drain of an N-MOS 9 and the input of aninverter 11. The gate of the N-MOS 8 is supplied with the signal N1. Thegate of the N-MOS 9 is electrically connected to the power sourcepotential and the source thereof is electrically coupled to the drain ofan N-MOS 10. The gate of the N-MOS 10 is supplied with the signal N1 andthe source thereof is electrically connected to the ground potential.The output of the inverter 11 is electrically connected to the input ofan inverter 12 and the output of the inverter 12 is electricallyconnected to an output terminal OUT.

The operation of the circuit according to the fifth embodiment will nowbe described below. Since the reference voltage supply terminal REF ismaintained at 0.8 V upon normal operation, the signal N4 is brought to ahigh level and the signal N2 is brought to a low level. Thus, the P-MOS1 used as the first switching device and the N-MOS 91 used as theground-side switching device are respectively kept ON and OFF.Therefore, the signal supplied to the input terminal IN is transmittedto the output terminal OUT through the sense circuit S.

A description will now be made of a circuit operation at the time that acurrent that flows upon deactivation of the semiconductor integratedcircuit, is measured. When the reference voltage supply terminal REF isset to the power source potential V_(DD) the signals N4 and N2 arerespectively brought to low and high levels. As a result, the P-MOS 1serving as the first switching device and the N-MOS 91 serving as theground-side switching device 91 are turned OFF and the P-MOS 94 and theN-MOS 95 are turned ON. Therefore, the signal supplied to the inputterminal IN is sent to the output terminal OUT through the clockedinverter 92 composed of the P-MOSs 93 and 94 and the N-MOSs 95 and 96.Thus, the circuit according to the fifth embodiment can be activated ina manner similar to that according to the third embodiment. Moreover,this operation can be carried out by transistors fewer in number thanthose employed in the third embodiment.

[Modifications]

(1) The P-MOS 52 employed in the second embodiment may be deleted. Thisis because the P-MOS 52 may not be provided basically since it isintended to reduce the current flowing through the controller 15a whenthe input signal is high in level.

(2) The circuit section composed of the P-MOSs 61 and 62 and the N-MOSs63 and 64 in the circuit (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodimentmay be replaced by the circuit comprised of the P-MOS 8 and the N-MOSs7, 9 and 10 shown in FIG. 1.

(3) Each circuit section comprised of the P-MOSs 71, 72, 75, 76 and theN-MOSs 73, 74, 77 and 78 both shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, may be replaced byeach of various selector circuits shown in FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C) and10(D). When it is desired to replace the circuit section by eachselector circuit, portions indicated by symbols IN, N2, N3 and N4 inFIG. 10 may be connected to portions indicated by symbols IN, N2, N3 andN4 in FIGS. 5 and 7.

(4) Each of the embodiments has shown, as an example, the case where thecontrol terminal (gate) of the first switching device 1 provided betweenthe sense circuit S and the power source potential is connected to thereference voltage supply terminal REF through the inverter 13 or 14.However, if the control terminal (gate) of the first switching device 1can be driven based on the signal supplied to the reference voltagesupply terminal REF, then the first switching device 1 may be directlyconnected to the reference voltage supply terminal REF. This is becausea higher-speed operation can be carried out.

(5) The fifth embodiment has shown the case where the portions (sources)to be grounded of the transistors (N-MOS 5 and N-MOS 6) serving as theresistive elements in the sense circuit S are connected to the groundpotential through the ground-side switching device 91. However, as shownin FIG. 11, the grounding portions (sources) of the N-MOS 5 and theN-MOS 6 is directly connected to the ground potential and thereafter theground-side switching device 91 may be provided between the controlterminals of the N-MOSs 5 and 6 and the ground potential. This improvesthe operating speed of the input buffer circuit at the time of thenormal operation.

(6) In the individual embodiments described above, the source of theP-MOS 1 used as the first switching device is connected to the powersource voltage V_(DD). Further, the drain of the P-MOS 1 is connected tothe source of the P-MOS 2 that serves as the constant-current powersupply for the sense circuit S. Namely, each embodiment has shown, as anexample, the case where the first switching device 1 is directlyconnected to the P-MOS 2 serving as the constant-current power supplyfor the sense circuit S. However, such a circuit configuration may beset to a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 12. Namely, a firstswitching device 1 is connected to a control terminal (gate) of a P-MOS2 which serves as a constant-current power supply for a sense circuit S.Further, an input-side switching device 101 (e.g., N-MOS 101) operatedcomplementary to a P-MOS 1 used as the first switching device and havinga control terminal to which a control signal to be supplied to the firstswitching device 1 is inputted in parallel, is provided between thecontrol terminal of the P-MOS 2 and an input terminal IN. According tothis arrangement, the two P-MOSs are not series-connected between apower source potential V_(DD) and the sense circuit S. It is thereforepossible to improve the operating speed of the present circuit.

(7) The inverter 13 in the circuit (see FIG. 9) according to the fifthembodiment may be replaced by the circuit section comprised of thetransistors 81 through 84 employed in the fourth embodiment.

(8) Each of the aforementioned embodiments shows, as an example, thecase where the sense circuit is made up of the P-MOS differentialamplifier circuit. However, the sense circuit may be comprised of anN-MOS differential amplifier circuit. In this case, the electricalconnections between the sense circuit and both a power source potentialand a ground potential are suitably changed.

[Applications]

Each of the aforementioned embodiments shows an example in which thepresent invention is applied to the GTL. However, the present inventioncan be applied to an input buffer circuit called an ECL or a CTT (CenterTapped Termination) having a differential amplifier circuit.

According to the typical embodiments of the present invention, as areapparent from the above description, the current that flows upondeactivation of each semiconductor integrated circuit, can be reliablymeasured.

Thus, upon testing prior to shipment of the semiconductor integratedcircuit, an easy decision can be made where each transistor has a damageor broken spot.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theillustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to beconstrued in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrativeembodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will beapparent to those skilled in the art on reference to this description.It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover anysuch modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:aninput node for receiving an input voltage; a reference node forreceiving a reference voltage; a first source potential node suppliedwith a first source potential level; a second source potential node forreceiving a second source potential level; a sense circuit connectedbetween said first source potential node and said second sourcepotential node and brought into an operating state during a period inwhich the first source potential level and the second source potentiallevel are supplied respectively to the first and second sense potentialnodes, said sense circuit comparing the input voltage and the referencevoltage and outputting the result of comparison to a sense output node;a first switching circuit connected between said first source potentialnode and said sense circuit and adapted to selectively connect betweensaid sense circuit and said first source potential node in response tothe voltage supplied to said reference node; a second switching circuitconnected between said second source potential node and said sensecircuit and adapted to selectively connect between said sense circuitand said second source potential node in response to the voltagesupplied to said reference node; and a buffer circuit connected betweenthe sense output node and the buffer output node, wherein said buffercircuit including first and second stages, said first stage outputting avoltage corresponding to the voltage supplied to the sense output nodeto said second stage, when the voltage supplied to said reference nodeis equal to a level between the first source potential level and thesecond source potential level, and outputting a voltage corresponding tothe voltage supplied to said input node to said second stage, when thevoltage supplied to said reference node is equal to the first sourcepotential level or the second source potential level, and said secondstage outputting a voltage corresponding to the voltage outputted fromsaid first stage to the buffer output node.
 2. A semiconductorintegrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first switchingcircuit provides electrical isolation between said sense circuit andsaid first source potential node when the first source potential levelor the second source potential level is supplied to said reference node.3. A semiconductor integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst switching circuit provides an electrical connection between saidsense circuit and said first source potential node when a level betweenthe first source potential level and the second source potential levelis supplied to said reference node.
 4. A semiconductor integratedcircuit according to claim 1, further comprising:a control circuitconnected between said reference node and said first switching circuitand adapted to output a voltage corresponding to the voltage supplied tosaid reference node to said first switching circuit, said controlcircuit outputting a voltage for allowing said first switching circuitto provide electrical isolation between said sense circuit and saidfirst source potential node when the voltage supplied to said referencenode is equal to the first source potential level or the second sourcepotential level.
 5. A semiconductor integrated circuit according toclaim 1, further comprising:a control circuit between said referencenode and said second switching circuit and adapted to output the voltagecorresponding to the voltage supplied to said reference node to saidsecond switching circuit, said control circuit outputting a voltage forallowing said second switching circuit to provide electrical isolationbetween said sense circuit and said second source potential node whenthe voltage supplied to said reference node is equal to the first sourcepotential level or the second source potential level.